Dear Friends,

Welcome to Montana State University! As this remarkable institution’s 13th president, I’m delighted to welcome you to our community, and I thank you for your interest in MSU.

Our university was founded in 1893 as Montana’s first land-grant university. I am proud of Montana State’s strong tradition of excellence in teaching, outreach, and research and creative activity. I am also extraordinarily proud of our university’s commitment to ensuring that all who seek an education have access to it. All of us here at MSU are committed to upholding the responsibilities of our land-grant mission and working to make sure the transformative power of education is available to anyone and everyone.  

MSU’s researchers make discoveries every day that have the potential to improve our world, and our service and outreach programs aim to enhance the lives of all Montanans. In fact, our university has four campuses, seven agricultural centers, one world-class museum and Extension offices that serve each of Montana's 56 counties, making the entire state of Montana our campus. In addition, our undergraduate programs provide hands-on research and creative experiences for our students, and our graduate programs feature all of the elements of a student-centered institution.

Among other designations, MSU has been recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutes of Higher Education and the American Council on Education as one of the most productive research institutions in the United States. MSU has an R1 designation, which denotes very high research output and doctoral education – making it one of only 187 institutions nationwide with this classification. 

It's worth noting that MSU is one of only a handful of universities in the entire country to have earned both the "very high research" designation and to have an enrollment profile that is chiefly undergraduate. Indeed, we are very proud of our undergraduate students, and they continue to record outstanding achievements. In the past decade alone, the university has produced 32 Goldwater Scholars, 18 Fulbright Scholars, nine Truman Scholars, nine Udall Scholars, five Schwartzman Scholars and three Rhodes Scholars. MSU is ranked ninth in the nation in all-time Goldwater Scholars, with 90 awardees.

Addressing the pressing challenges of our time through teaching, research and outreach, supporting our students, and broadening access to education is meaningful work. I invite you to explore these Web pages to learn more about Montana State University, and if you find yourself on our beautiful campus, consider stopping by Montana Hall to say hello.

In the meantime, please join me in working together to further the important land-grant mission of Montana State University. Together, we will accomplish great things in service to our students, our state, and our country.

Sincerely,

Signature of president Brock Tessman

Brock Tessman
President